Eleven RISD high school students were recognized for their outstanding artistic abilities and craftsmanship by jurists of the Cottonwood Art Festival and will now have the opportunity to sell their art at next month’s festival.
Congratulations Sidra Siddiqui and Adam Teffera of Berkner; Skylar Caldwell, Baylee Cantrell, Julia Casales, Helen Levy, Emily Stansfield and Miranda Torres of Pearce; and Alexis Dickson, Esmerelda Hernandez and Yaritza Penapf of Richardson High School.
The students were celebrated in early April at the Eisemann Center as part of the festival’s Emerging Artist program. At the Cottonwood Art Festival on May 6-7, the students will be offering their wares. Additionally, students have received awards and scholarships provided by the festival’s sponsor, Neighborhood Credit Union.
“We’re fortunate to partner with the City of Richardson to provide this unique experience to our senior high school art students,” RISD Director of Visual Arts Myron Stennett said. “The selected art students will gain knowledge and skills that will be invaluable to their respective career choices.”
The artwork submitted are pieces these students made during their four years in high school. Students may choose to present a portfolio of their work that follows a single motif.
“My art this year concerns themes of my childhood and nostalgia because I pull a lot of inspiration from my family, memories, and the world around me,” Pearce senior Skylar Caldwell said. “I’m so excited and grateful for the opportunity to share and discuss my work with others at the event and festival.”
About two decades ago, the Emerging Artist program was created in partnership with the City of Richardson to recognize the talent of young local artists in RISD and to offer them the prospect of being a part of an international award-winning fine arts festival. Each student submitted five images and those will hang in the Eisemann Center through April.
Congratulations and best of luck to all the aspiring artists! #RISDBelieves
(This feature was written by Pearce senior Madeline Dorjee, who is a member of the RISD Professional Internship Program. Madeline is interning with RISD Strategy & Engagement and The RISD Foundation. She plans to study journalism at the University of Texas after graduation.)
Skylar Caldwell 
Julia Casales
Emily Stansfield 
Helen Levy
